My name is Letícia*. In 2017 I was robbed by a man and badly beaten up. He pretended to be a client and came to our flat and took everything. I was so shocked and upset and called the Gardaí to report it. The Gardaí gave me a card with a free text number on it. I sent the word REACH to 50100. A woman named Sheila from Ruhama called me back. She arranged for accommodation for me for a few days which was such a relief because I didn’t want to go back to the flat right away. I felt completely unsafe there.
I was introduced to a Ruhama caseworker and she spoke my language, which was great as it made it so much easier to express what I felt and what I needed. She came with me when I was making statements about the attack. The Gardaí were actually really helpful and supportive, but it was still very stressful. It was so good to have someone with me who was just there for my support.
During this whole process I realised that I was really traumatised by the assault. I was having panic attacks and jumping at the slightest little noise. I wasn’t sleeping for more than a few minutes at a time and then waking in a sweat and full of adrenaline. It was exhausting. Ruhama provided counselling sessions which helped me manage the anxiety I was experiencing.
I was also having some bad health problems which didn’t help matters and my caseworker arranged for a GP to see me for no charge, as I was struggling financially and have no medical card.
“ I was really traumatised by the assault. I was having panic attacks and jumping at the slightest little noise. I wasn’t sleeping for more than a few minutes at a time and then waking in a sweat and full of adrenaline. It was exhausting. Ruhama provided counselling sessions which helped me manage the anxiety I was experiencing ”
I have been escorting since it happened, but that violent incident was not the first I have experienced and so I’ve decided I’ve had enough and am looking for other things to do now. My caseworker is really experienced in immigration and is supporting me with my status. In the meantime, I am doing some classes in Ruhama and working with the Career Guidance Counsellor. I have other qualifications from my home country and want to work in the hotel and catering industry here, so I’m building up my CV and gaining confidence and skills in job-seeking in Ireland.
*Name and some details have been changed to protect confidentiality of woman